Terrance Knighton knew in his head, in his heart and on his chest that his moment would arrive. The Broncos have talked for six months about how they are tougher on defense. They added attitude at safety, leadership at rush end and a cornerback who covers receivers like Saran Wrap.

They believe they are more than capable of dethroning the Seattle Seahawks, who lurk in the shadows this week. The game plan devised for Seattle figures to tilt toward clenched fists.

But before that heavily anticipated rematch, the Broncos called an audible. In a move that contradicted the point spread, if not the first half, the Broncos relied on their defense to secure a 24-17 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

This unit is never going to be confused with the Steel Curtain. More like the Iron Gut. The Broncos’ elasticity provided another weekly reminder to keep Pepto Bismol within arm’s reach. Yet how they ended the game struck a positive note as Knighton, a defensive tackle, deflected Alex Smith’s fourth-and-goal pass on the 2-yard line.

Knighton’s chest foreshadowed one of the biggest plays of his career. A tattoo reads: “To whom much is given much is tested.” The Broncos held a 21-10 halftime lead and held on with white knuckles — or, more accurately, Knighton’s right elbow — as the Chiefs ran 43 plays over the final 30 minutes.

“Being the team we are, we are going to get everyone’s best game,” Knighton said. “It’s a rivalry. It’s going to be close. That’s what defense is for, to make plays at the end.”

Knighton prepared for this in high school. He was a 215-pound receiver. His ability to catch has been proved. During practice last month, he caught a fade route, separating from coverage, for a touchdown, drawing roars from his teammates. He has paws for the ball, something the defensive line works on every Friday.

“I was just mirroring the quarterback. Of course, I have great ball skills as an ex-wide receiver,” the 330-pound Knighton said. “At that moment in the game, it wasn’t time for a sack. Let the ends rush and just get my hands up.”

The Broncos didn’t evoke memories of the Orange Crush, but their resiliency stood out. As they did against the Colts in the season opener, they made the big stop when they had to, Knighton’s deflection following a similar play by rookie corner Bradley Roby in the opener.

“It’s a bend-not-break attitude,” explained defensive end DeMarcus Ware. “But you don’t want it to be that close.”

Peyton Manning improved to 12-1 all time against the Chiefs. He needed help from Knighton, something that came as surprise. Knighton figured the Broncos had clinched the game moments earlier when Ware appeared to sack Smith, jarring the ball loose. The Broncos recovered. The defensive tackle removed his gloves and ripped off his tape before hustling back onto the field without either when a replay review led to an overturned call. An incomplete pass was the ruling.

“It’s crazy,” said Ware, whose presence and pressure were needed as linebacker Von Miller sat out the final drive with an injured groin. “We thought it was over.”

Denver’s sloppiness created the drama. The defense couldn’t get off the field in the second half, largely because of Broncos penalties. Not that the Chiefs were driving for a long time Sunday, but they seemingly got stuck in traffic at the Eisenhower Tunnel.

“We were out there for a really, really long time,” safety T.J. Ward said. “We have some things to work on. It’s probably going to be a long film session.”

When the Chiefs weren’t playing keep-away, Manning was efficient in limited duty. Manning threw for three first-half touchdowns but then Denver stalled.

“It was strange,” said Manning, who finished 21-of-26 for 242 yards. “Sure, we’re always looking to play the perfect four-quarter game. It’s something we are still striving for.”

The Broncos went 42 minutes in real time without touching the ball. That’s one way to neutralize a reigning MVP quarterback. After the Broncos sputtered, Kansas City capitalized in the fourth quarter. Backup running back Knile Davis, playing for the injured Jamaal Charles (ankle), scored on a 4-yard run, making it 21-17.

The Chiefs needed a furious rally because of the Broncos’ strong first half. Manning hit tight end Julius Thomas for the first score on a blink of an initial drive. Thomas is the first Bronco to have four receiving touchdowns after two games. Jacob Tamme and Demaryius Thomas followed with touchdown catches.

It never felt safe, though, until Knighton raised his arm as a road block to end K.C.’s final drive.

Troy is a former Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies beat writer for The Denver Post. He joined the news organization in 2002 as the Rockies' beat writer and became a Broncos beat writer in 2014 before assuming the lead role ahead of the 2015 season. He left The Post in 2015.

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